Planting a tree is the perfect antidote to spring fever. We know winter isn’t over and temperatures will dip and clouds will roll in blocking the sun’s warmth. However, when Mother Nature blesses us with a few warmer winter days, we suddenly get hit with the desire to spruce up the landscape and make improvements to the home.
New homeowners seem particularly vulnerable to spring-fever, wanting to make their new house their home by adding significant interest and aesthetic charm. New trees are frequently added to their wish list, indeed a great place to start for adding structure, focus and balance to their new landscape.
If you are thinking along these terms, here are 6 easy steps to follow to plant a tree.
Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools. These include:
scissors
shovel
pick-axe
soil amendments
root stimulator
mulch
water and garden hose
Step 1: Put the Right Tree in the Right Location
Talk with us to find out what will work best in your location and which trees will give you the look you want for your landscape. Our team’s favorite trees for the St. Louis area include:
Black gum
Japanese Zelkova
Oak trees (red, white, willow)
Redbuds
Crabapple
Magnolia
Many of us have a hard time visualizing what the tree will look like and how much space it will need when fully grown but this is an important step. Planting large, growing trees too close to the home’s foundation can lead to future problems, resulting in necessary removal of the tree. (View our 2D landscape designs to get an idea of how we plan the placement of trees when we are designing landscapes.)
Don’t blow it…we mean it literally…as in utility lines. Countless times homeowners have forgotten this critical and potentially costly step in locating all utility lines before you dig. Your city or town will be able to locate the lines at no cost.
Step 2: Prepare the Ground
This might mean you have to wait until a true thaw takes place. Once you are able to dig, accurately measure the appropriate size hole to dig, saving time and your back muscles.
Step 3: Plant
Lower your tree into the newly dug hole. Mix in soil amendments with the native soil and backfill about a third of the way. Fertilize with root stimulator and water. Backfill the remainder of the hole with a mix of native soil and soil amendments and compact.
Step 5: Mulch and Water
Put mulch around the tree. (Learn more about how to mulch properly.) Water again.
Step 5: Stake the Tree
Consider staking the tree for one year to keep your new tree strong and steady. Set a reminder on your calendar to remove the stakes after a year.
Step 6: Set Up a Watering Schedule
Keeping your tree watered will ensure it stays healthy and grows strong. (Learn more about how to water properly.)
Planting a tree can be pretty easy if you just follow a few steps. However if you are thinking that this project involves more thought and muscle than you anticipated, no need to worry. Contact us. We can help you before you find yourself out on a limb.
Planting that first tree will make spring feel a little closer, even if it is still weeks away.